Netflix outage briefly disrupts viewers during Stranger Things Season 5 premiere

Thousands of Netflix users reported playback problems minutes after the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 went live. Downdetector saw a spike in outage reports just before the scheduled 8:00 PM ET release, with many viewers encountering account‑connection errors that prevented streaming.

The most commonly reported fault was the NSEZ‑403 error — an account‑connection issue — along with generic “Something went wrong” or “we’re having trouble with your request” messages. Netflix told Engadget that some members briefly experienced trouble streaming on TVs, but the issue was restored for all affected accounts within about five minutes.

What happened and when

• Timing: Reports surged shortly before and around the 8:00 PM ET drop of Stranger Things S5 episodes 1–4.
• Scope: Downdetector recorded a notable spike in reports (peaking near 14,000 in some feeds), though impacts varied by region and device.
• Errors: NSEZ‑403 (account connection) and generic playback errors were most common.
• Resolution: Netflix confirmed the problem affected some TV streams but was resolved for all accounts within roughly five minutes.

Troubleshooting tips if you see errors

• Try a different device — Netflix specifically suggests switching devices for NSEZ‑403 errors.
• Sign out and back in, or restart the Netflix app and your streaming device (TV, console, phone, etc.).
• Check your account status and payment method in case of account access problems.
• Restart your router or switch from Wi‑Fi to a wired connection where possible.
• Monitor Netflix’s status page and outage trackers like Downdetector for real‑time reports.

Release schedule — what’s next for Stranger Things

Netflix is releasing Stranger Things Season 5 in batches: the first four episodes arrived in this initial drop, followed by three more episodes on December 25 and the season finale on December 31. If you missed the premiere due to errors, those upcoming drops offer additional chances to watch.

If problems continue, check Netflix’s help center for error‑specific guidance: Netflix Help Center.

Update (Nov. 26, 2025): Netflix told reporters that TV streaming issues affecting some members were restored within about five minutes of the outage spike.

Discussion: Did you experience the NSEZ‑403 or other Netflix errors during the Stranger Things premiere? How did you fix it — or did you wait it out?